Weston resident to lead Metropolitan Chorale in Boston concert

Thursday

May 2, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 2, 2013 at 2:20 AM

When Lisa Graham of Weston steps to the podium of New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall on May 4, she will be leading the Metropolitan Chorale of Brookline in its first ever appearance at the prestigious venue.

Karen Campbell

When Lisa Graham of Weston steps to the podium of New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall on May 4, she will be leading the Metropolitan Chorale of Brookline in its first ever appearance at the prestigious venue.

More importantly, she will be guiding the ensemble she’s helmed for nearly 10 years in a concert revolving around the theme of peace. And in these days of conflict and strife around the world, that’s no small goal.

“My hope was to create a kind of journey,” Graham says. “We start with Dvorak’s ‘Te Deum,’ which is celebratory, a hymn of joy and praise, and then do the ‘Barber Adagio for Strings,’ which has some somber connotations, war and loss. The centerpiece of the concert is ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace,’ by Karl Jenkins, which takes us through the whole arc from war toward a peaceful end.”

The acclaimed “The Armed Man” has been performed over 1,200 times around the world, yet this marks only its second performance in Boston.

The work crosses between classical, jazz, rock, folk and ethnic musical styles, and features the 90 members of the chorus plus a full orchestra, including six percussionists.

Notable for texts ranging from an Islamic prayer to poetry by a survivor of Hiroshima, the work reflects the kind of culturally significant programming the Metropolitan Chorale has become known for since its inception as the Brookline Chorus in 1979.

“We’ve strived to connect musical experiences with a greater view of life in its celebrations and losses and historical references,” Graham says, recalling previous concerts involving music from the Holocaust, a collaboration with Bolivian musicians, and a project involving contemporary settings of ancient texts.

“Veering in on something and exploring it in depth, then zooming out helps you to see it in a larger context. I like to find connections that link ideas.”

Over the past nine years, Graham, 40, has helped shape the chorus not just through these kinds of repertoire choices, but through heightened performance quality and group dynamics.

“Chorus members love singing with and for Lisa,” says Metropolitan Chorale president Anne Copeland. “She pushes for excellence and helps us produce performances we can be proud of. Rehearsals are fun and full of memorable singing tips – and the occasional one-liner.”

Graham maintains, “The chorale is more than people just singing together. There’s a real sense of community. They’re very invested in the programming because they find it meaningful. I find music is a really moving and passionate way to express those very strong, human desires, whether violent or beautiful. It unites people.”

Lively but soft-spoken, the California-raised conductor remembers the experience that started her own love affair with choral music. Initially, she had plans to be an actress. But during pre-professional training before college, a teacher advised her to get a liberal arts education.

“She said that would help us be more well rounded, have more to bring to theatrical experiences. I really took that to heart.”

While she auditioned for theater projects in college, she also joined the choir.

“We did Mozart’s ‘Requiem,’ and I fell in love hard with that piece,” she remembers. “It was like a punch in the face. Lights and bells went off inside me and I became consumed.”

She signed on to be a music major, studying conducting as well as singing.

“To me, music is about being with others. That’s probably why I’m a conductor now and not a soloist.”

In addition to the Metropolitan Chorale, Graham is Wellesley College’s director of choral programs, teaching and conducting the Wellesley College Choir, Chamber Choir and Glee Club.

She formerly conducted the Handel and Haydn Society’s Young Women’s Chorus.

A Wellesley resident for 10 years, she moved in November to Weston, where she lives with her significant other, Brigham and Women’s radiologist Steve McCormack, and their two dogs, Jinx and Moose. She’s been delighted with the move.

“Steve’s daughter Shannon goes to Weston High School, and it’s a good commute to Wellesley and just beautiful here. I love having a little bit of earth, a little sanctuary,” she says. “We’re still discovering the yard … Some daffodils just bloomed and I’m like ‘Oh, we have daffodils!’ It’s kind of like Christmas.”

Growing up in Yosemite Valley, where her father managed all the gift shops in Yosemite Park, Graham says, “It was a fun way to grow up, magical, and so many interesting people came through, all these VIPs – entertainers, politicians. We met the Queen of England when she visited in 1983.”

Graham moved to New England in 2001, and the area has proved to be an excellent fit.

“I’ve really made quite a home here, and now I love it, the cultural scene in Boston,” she says. “We’re ballet subscribers, and there’s a ridiculous wealth of music, theater, food. I love natural beauty and one reason I love Weston is all the trees and greenness. I love to be outdoors. It’s one of my biggest inspirations.”

When she’s not working, Graham loves to run, hike and kayak.

But work, especially teaching, is a major part of her life.

“I love teaching because I love sharing the things that I’m passionate about,” she says. “When I discovered choral music, I became alive and awake to this amazing art and it was so transformational to me that I get incredibly excited when I see students get moved the same way and find ways to communicate through music.”

Graham believes music has a far greater power than mere entertainment, a conviction cemented while preparing her graduate thesis on Holocaust music.

“It really crystallized my feelings and understanding of how necessary music seems to be for human beings,” she says. “We have no idea exactly why people respond to music, but it’s pretty universal and extremely strong. For many people, music is a way to express themselves when words or emotions aren’t easy. Or they hear music and feel recognized by that music.

“It’s such a point of connection. To sing songs together unites – music essentially forms communities that otherwise would not exist.”

Tickets to the concert are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and students, and $20 for groups of 10 or more. They are available here and at the Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Jordan Hall box office, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston, or by calling 617-585-1260.

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